An early flu season warning shot

Published: Friday, November 30, 2012 at 07:23 PM.

North
Carol
ina
health officials have warned for the past few weeks that a daunting flu season is barely under way and asked that people do themselves a favor for the holiday season and get a flu shot.

Late last week it got serious.

Two people, both in the Triad, died as a result of the flu — the first fatalities of the 2012-13 season.

That’s awfully close to home. We certainly don’t want
Ala
mance
County
residents to be woefully unprepared for what lies ahead.

With state health officials predicting a particularly active flu season, the push is on for everyone who hasn’t already done so to go ahead, make the leap and get that flu shot.

The prediction of a rough flu season shouldn’t be taken lightly as history is filled with tales of flu sweeping through whole populations and even turning deadly for some in particularly vulnerable segments of those populations. State Health Director Laura Gerald said last week one of the two adults killed by the flu was at higher risk for complications because of advanced age and pre-existing medical conditions. Neither victim had been vaccinated against the contagious illness.

According to the Associated Press, the
U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that last year just under half of
North
Carol
inians
were immunized against flu, with nine dying from the illness.

North Carolina health officials have warned for the past few weeks that a daunting flu season is barely under way and asked that people do themselves a favor for the holiday season and get a flu shot.

Late last week it got serious.

Two people, both in the Triad, died as a result of the flu — the first fatalities of the 2012-13 season.

That’s awfully close to home. We certainly don’t want AlamanceCounty residents to be woefully unprepared for what lies ahead.

With state health officials predicting a particularly active flu season, the push is on for everyone who hasn’t already done so to go ahead, make the leap and get that flu shot.

The prediction of a rough flu season shouldn’t be taken lightly as history is filled with tales of flu sweeping through whole populations and even turning deadly for some in particularly vulnerable segments of those populations. State Health Director Laura Gerald said last week one of the two adults killed by the flu was at higher risk for complications because of advanced age and pre-existing medical conditions. Neither victim had been vaccinated against the contagious illness.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that last year just under half of North Carolinians were immunized against flu, with nine dying from the illness.

And at the very least, contracting the flu virus can prove to be a miserable experience.

While the flu vaccine traditionally works best on those who are younger and healthier, it’s especially important for those eligible for the shots to protect themselves at this time of the year — especially with the crowds and opportunities for social interaction that characteristically define the holidays.

The more people who contract the virus, the more likely it is to spread via shopping in crowded stores and malls, attending parties and other social events as well as going to school functions and family get-togethers — all of which adds up to greater chances for exposure.

Other parts of the country are already reporting increasing rates of flu cases. Doctors and health officials admit that the vaccine — usually designed to counter the most likely influenza viruses predicted to be prevalent for a particular season — won’t stop all forms of the flu. Officials say that some of those who have been vaccinated will still get sick.

They continue to urge patients to obtain vaccinations and take proper anti-flu precautions, such as washing hands frequently, covering their mouths with their sleeves when coughing and not touching their faces with their hands.

Flu season has barely kicked off, but the miserable gift-that-keeps-on-giving lasts all the way until May. And the best defense against the flu?

Vaccinations, of course, but remember — they don’t kick in immediately. Depending on a person’s health, it can take about two weeks for the person who has been vaccinated to benefit from it. Flu vaccine is especially recommended for pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, the very young children, and the elderly.

Prevent the spread of the flu in your workplace, at restaurants, at shopping centers and at home. Folks will thank you for it.